Heating or circulation of steam-generators.



J. E. FLETCHER.

HEATING 0R CIRCULATION 0F STEAM GENERATORS. APPLICATION FILED IEB.15, 1912.

:1 $32, 1 9% Patented July 9, 1912.

SAES

ATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH ERNST FLETCHER, OF DUDLEY, ENG-LAND.

HEATING OR CIRCULATION F STEAM-GENERATORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 9, 1912;

Application filed February 15, 1912. Serial No. 677,806.

.. new and useful Improvements in or Connected with the Heating or Circulation of Steam-Generators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has reference primarily to the heating of feed'water supplied to steam generating plant, comprising a battery -or group of steam generators, wherein all of the feed water supplied to the plant is heated in one steam generator of the battery or group (or in more than one of them) to, at least, the temperature corresponding with the pressure of the steam to be generated, and steam is also generated fromit,

and it is then delivered or distributed to the other generator or generators of the group or battery at this temperature.

It relates, however, also to other cases oi steam generating plant, where it is desired to heat the feed water by the heat of live steam. I y

The object of the invention is primarily to render the efficiency, generally, of the feed steam generator or generators of steam generating plant of the kin dmore particularly referred to above, higher; andthereby enhance the efliciency of the power plant according to this system, as a whole. And it may be assumed, in the description of the invention, that the steam generator-referred to in it, is the feed steam generator of such plant; although it is to be understood, that the mode of or means for heating feed water hereafter described, may be applied aautl used in connection with steam generators or steam generating plant, which or is not according to that system and that where this mode or means can be advantageously so applied or used, such use or application. is to be assumed to be covered under this invention and application for patent. v

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which. it is illustrated in several applications,

in these drawings, Figure 1 shows diagrammatically a steam generator of the Lancashiro type, fitted with the apparatus; Fig. 2 shows it applied to a steam generator of the Water tube type; and Fig.

3 shows it applied to a generator of the locomotive type. Fig; 4 is a view showing a part of the apparatus, in longitudinal section.

In the introduction of feed water to the steam generator according to this invention, there is imparted orgiven to it, the effect of the ejector-condenser;*that is,

the water as it enters the generator is passed through nozzles or the'like, to which the steam of the generator-but not the hot water in it-has access; .with the effect that the inter-action between the relatively cool water entering, and passing through the apparatus, and the steam at the temperature of generation introduced from the steam spare of'the generator, imparts a large increment of heat to the water, and also promotes an increase in its velocity; and this water so heated and in flow, is conducted and delivered into the water of the gen- ,erator, and in the direction of the true convection currents, and so assists them.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 is the steam generator, or part of the steam generator, as the case may be, in which the ap paratus is fitted.

2 is the casing or body of or the part of the apparatus containing nozzles or the like, through which water and steam pass as above described.

3 is the feed water inlet conduit to the apparatus, which is introduced at one end of the casing 2; 4 is the steam inlet conduit, which enters casing 2 at the side; and 5 is the hot Water outlet, which is at the end Y of thercasing 2 opposite to the inlet 3.

In the particular form or arrangement of nozzle apparatus shown in Fig. 4, the casing 2 has within it a plurality of nozzles 6 on a common axis, and one which is coincident with those of the inlets and outlets 3, 5. The water, which say is delivered to the ap paratus by a pump at the required velocity, leaves the end of the inlet branch 3, inside the casing 2 as a jet, and discharges direct into the relatively large inlet of the, first cone or nozzle 6; and the steam existing in the casing 2 (to which it has been conducted by the pipe 4 from the live steam space of the generator) has access to and acts on the water passing from the inlet 3 to the nozzle, at the annular space existing between the ends of these parts. And, likewise, as it passes in a jet from the first cone to the second, and so on, the steam has access to it on the diii'ercnt spaces or parts where the discharge ends of the cones or nozzles are disposed over the inlets of this subsequent nozzle or cone; and so the water is actedon by it due to the different temperatures of it and the steam, and it becomes heated there-- by rapidly, and absorbs into itself a large quantity of heat. That is, in other words, it receives the heating client which the water receives in an ejector-condenser, and has its general eflect,"and action.

The hot water as discharged, is conducted through the pipe 5 in the direction of the true convection currents ofthe water in the generator." That is, in the case of a generator of the type shown in Fig. 1, this water isdelivered into the bottom of' the generator, anddelirered in the direction toward the hotter part, vizf toward the fur the manner described, it is kept free from all contractural strains, and from the strains set up by water hammer; while the supply of steam to it is effected, without the use of a valve.

\Vhile it has beenstated that the steam supply to the incoming water is that exist ing in the steam space of the generator and is at the temperature of saturation at the pressure; existing, yet in some cases, the steam may be super-heated and may be that of, and from the generator itself after having passed through a super-heater, or supplied from a separate source.

hat- I claim is:

1. In combination, a steam generator; a nozzle apparatus of the ejector condenser type placed in thewater of the steam generator, and through which the water to be fed to the boiler andheated is passed; a conduit connecting the case of: the apparatus with the steam space of the generator; a.

conduit connected with the casing of the apparat-us adapted to supply the water to be heated to it; and a conduit connected with the casing of the apparatus, and adapted to deliver theheated water in the direction of the true convection currents thereof; substantially as described.

2. In combination, a steam generator, ..acasing inclosed in the generator and submerged in the water therein, a steam inlet pipe yon'nnunicating with the casing and the steam space in the generator, a water inlet pipe communicating with one end of the casing, the outlet end of said water inlet pipe having a nozzle which projects into the easing, a water outlet nozzle extending from the opposite end of the casing in alinement with the water inlet pipe and a plurality of spaced apart nozzles in the casing between the water inlet and outlet nozzles.

3. In combination, a steam generator, a casing incloscd in the generator, and sub merged in the water therein, a steam inlet; pipe communicating with the casing and the steam space in the generator, a water inlet pipe communicating with one end of the casing, the outlet end of said Water inlet pipe having a nozzle which projects into the casing, a water outlet'nozzlc extending from the opposite end of the casing in alinement with the water inlet pipe and a. plurality of spaced apart nozzles arranged in aliuementwith the water inlet and outlet nozzles.

In combination, a steam generator, a

plurality of alined spaced apart nozzles through which water passes to the generator, and means for supplying steam to the spaces between the nozzles to be drawn therethrough by the force of the water, whereby to preheat the water before delivery to the generator.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

I JOSEPHERNST FLETCHER.

Witnesses Hnannnr 'W LLIAM DANCE, FRANK Amara Goaron- 

